Constipation

What is constipation?
Constipation is a condition associated with impaired propulsion of the contents of the colon. Constipation is often evidences by a reduced frequency of defecation down to less than three times a week, which is combined with the sensation of incomplete emptying of the colon, small amounts of dense feces, and prolonged straining efforts.

What causes constipation?
One of the main causes of constipation is the modern sedentary stile of life leading to inappropriate training of muscles including those of the abdominal wall, which play a role in the normal intestinal functioning. A significant risk factors of constipation is consumption of large amounts of refined high-calory foods. Such foods are usually deficient in fibers, which stimulate intestinal motility. Constipation is promoted by stresses. Hypodynamia, abnormal food ration, and stress make constipation one of the civilization diseases. It should be minded, however, that constipation may be caused by organic changes, such as those occurring in cancer or commissures (in particular, in gynecological conditions), or by gastrointestinal as well as other organs. In some cases, constipation may result from medicinal drug intake or from dysbiosis.

What drugs promote constipation?
Such drugs include the following:

cholinolytics (drugs used to treat spasms of the bile duct, intestine etc.),

opiates,

antidepressants,

neuroleptics,

calcium channel blockers,

diuretics,

laxatives,

aluminium- and calcium-containing preparations, and

iron ions.

What is the age of the most frequent occurrence of constipation?
Constipation may occur at any age, e.g., in children (especially in artificially fed infants), adults, and elders. However, it occurs most often in people above 60 affecting from 30% to 60% of this age group.

What diseases promote constipation in elders?
Such diseases include the following:

atherosclerosis,

chronic abdominal ischemia,

parkinsonism,

depression,

spinal disorders, and

progression of some other diseases, such as

diverticular disease,

diabetes mellitus,

hypothyreosis, and

multiple sclerosis.

What are the consequences of chronic constipations?
Chronic constipations result in self-poisoning of the organism leading to impairments in the functions of the gastrointestinal tract and to diseases of the duodenum, stomach, pancrease, and esophagus. If such diseases has developed, their successful treatment is possible only after discontinuation of constipations.

What laxatives should be used to treat constipations?
Currently, many drugs against constipation are available. They have different mechanisms of their action; so only a physician is able to make a reasonable choice. The choice should be done with account to the causes of constipation, the general condition of the patient, and concomitant diseases. It is far from always that treatment of constipation implies taking of laxatives. Usually, dietary treatment, water balance control, and physical exercises suffice. However, physical activity is not always easy to increase, e.g., in elders; and it may not be undesirable to change diet (e.g., because of concomitant disease). In such cases, physiotherapy and massage as well as certain drugs may be helpful.

In what cases of constipation medical advice is expedient?
When constipation is associated with abdominal swelling, pain, or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and the loss of appetite, it is expedient to consult a specialist. As it has been mentioned above, constipation may result from serious diseases, such as ileus and others, which require immediate therapeutic measures.

If you experience constipation for the first time and cannot manage it or if you require urgent treatment or you suffer from chronic constipations, address LENMEDCENTER! Our specialists will find out the cause of your condition and draw up treatment regimen. In cases of chronic constipation, your diet, exercise level, physiotherapy, massage, and therapeutic drugs (if necessary) will be selected with account to you general condition, concomitant diseases, and age. By discontinuing constipations you will get rid of a number of other health problems related not only to the gastrointestinal system, but to the whole body as well!